We've all been running audibles the past couple of weeks. Adaptation is the nature of life, at least according to Darwin. It's also the nature of live music. Last Thursday the lead singer of Awen Family Band, Tim Husk, received the most exciting news - his partner is going into labor with his first child!
A flood of emotions crashed over him as he realized his life was changed forever. "I'm a Dad", "We made a human", "I've got a show in Aiken tonight", "Will they have all of their fingers and toes?", "I'm so proud of my partner", "...who's going to play the show in Aiken tonight?"
No worries, the Awen Family is a big family that has at least 37 members. This will be no problem. The rainbow symbol was shot into the air and Daniel Combs packed up his keyboard and picked up his young mullet-rocking drummer and headed south to the real Carolina. I've scoured Facebook to try and figure out which of the 37 the drummer is, but he may even be one of the "and many more". Apologies my mulleted metronome - there are so many people in your musical collective.
The two set up quickly after their long trek from Raliegh Durahm, North Carolina with a single mission in mind. They knew Tim promised music, so they made sure they showed up to provide music. The sudden and surprise arrival of a new child to this world did not leave time for practice, a set list, or time to ask questions, but the music must go on.
I've seen people who worked for months to sit in at an open mic and freeze. After hours and hours of practice, they can't seem to remember the C chord that follows the G chord right before that last tricky D chord. The beauty of The Family, is they constantly improvise with whoever may be available and nearby to make the best music they can make with any size group and any combination of instruments.
What happened next was hard to believe.
These two sat down and improvised music for 3 hours. They seamlessly wove songs together with nothing more than watching each other to anticipate a sudden change to tempo or timing. This was made easier by the unique sideways positioning of the drummer's kit. They met the challenge, adapted, improvised, and didn't back down when there was an obstacle. That's something any fan of Amp can respect. We can only do what we do for 32 Thursdays a year because certain folks never bailed when there were some obstacles.
It's been hard to decide how to bring it up, but anyone who just skims the headlines knows that Bud Light was having a rough go last year. Even earlier in this very year, we all saw Amp posts where people would comment, "What's up with the Bud Light?"
Look around when you are at a large event and pay attention to the signage, banners, pamphlets, and whatever might be adorned in sponsors' logos. If it is in the Aiken area, you'll notice, more often than not, Bud Light can be found. That is because our local distributors have always given back to their community. They've been in the background helping the success of The Aiken Trials, Steeplechase, Polo, Mardi Gras, Brunch Fest, Bacon and Brews, Oktoberfest, Southern Strings Music Festival, Bluegrass Fest, Countless golf tournaments, Aiken County Fair, Banjo-B-Cue, and Amp the Alley, - year after year after year.
Hint: The more fun the event the more likely you'll notice a Bud Light logo there.
Even Jordan didn't make every shot, and sometimes folks zig when they should have zagged. We had people on our social media decrying they would never support them again, blah blah blah. Which is fine, that is everyone's own perogative. I'm not here to tell you what you should or should not drink. I will tell you this, though, when they had reasons that would cause others to cut their support from our local community - they did not.
So we will continue to support Bud Light who continues to support us and supports our fun in the community. I'm not talking about the suits and execs, I'm talking about our own local distribution company. I'm talking the local sales reps, the drivers, and the warehouse workers. I'm talking about the Dad's rolling out thousands of 160 lb. half barrel kegs every week. I'm talking about the Mom's who organize the logistics of massive, consistent, dependable deliveries. I'm talking about our neighbors sitting in the bag chair next to us at our kids' baseball game or at Amp the Alley.
When everything was telling them they should cancel, they made sure the music went on. Our Awen Family pulled it off with improv, and our Bud Light Family did it by never pulling on the reigns and sticking with doing what they do best. We appreciate all of you who support our community, local businesses, local musicians, and Amp the Alley!
Check Out The Gallery
This Week on the Bud Light Stage -
The Experiment and The I-20 Horns
No improv. No guess work. These guys are tried and true awesome every single time they hit the Bud Light Stage. The end of summer deserves one last hoorah for that big band and beach music sound with some classic rock and blues. What better month for, what could be, a surprise guest appearance of an accordion? Enjoy a beautiful night of music, dancing, and celebrating community with a cold Bud Light or Mich Ultra.
The Experiment and the I-20 Horns
"Hard to Handle"
Lady's Night
The Red Door will be hosting a Ladies Night on Oct 24. Ladies will be treated to some complimentary sake and an appetizer. Get your girlfriends together, enjoy some authentic Asian cuisine and sake, then go out dancing at Amp the Alley, followed by DJ Charlie at Electric Eats, or Karaoke with Kyla at Southbound Smokehouse.
This is an epic night for the ladies!
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